Banana Festival starts this Sat.

The 2018 Banana Festival, sponsored by the Fulton Tourism Commission and set in the Twin Cities of Fulton and South Fulton, will commence this weekend with activities scheduled for Saturday to include a pistol shoot, coordinated by the Fulton Police Department, a Kids Fun Day at the Fulton Airport, the Banana Ball, and Banana Festival pageants to take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Participants in the pistol shoot may begin registration at 8 a.m. Sept. 8, at the Fulton Police Department shooting range on Park Road in Fulton. Various classes and categories will compete, with registration fees to apply.

Beginning at 10 a.m., and running until 2 p.m., a new event added to the festival schedule this year, Kids Fun Day at the Airport, will begin, with parachute jumpers scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and stunt pilots to perform at 12 noon and 1:45 p.m.

Other activities at the airport will include inflatables, obstacle course, children’s music, airplanes and a helicopter for viewing, firetrucks, ambulance and police cruisers on display, and free hot dogs.

According to event organizers, those planning to attend are encouraged to park at downtown Fulton’s Pontotoc Park and utilize Fulton County Transit Authority transportation for shuttles to and from the airport.

Miss Banana Festival pageants will begin at 1 p.m. at Fulton Hight School for the older age divisions, with contestants able to arrive at 12 noon. The Miss Banana Festival pageants for the younger girls will be staged on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. at the same location. Registration forms are available online at www.theBananaFestival.com, or by contacting the Fulton Tourism Commission at 270-472-9000.

The Grand Banana Ball is set for Saturday evening at Buck’s Celebration Center in South Fulton, with appetizers, dinner and dessert catered by area restaurants and entertainment provided by The Remedies. Only advance tickets were available for the Ball.

The entries for the Banana Festival Photography contest may be dropped off at the Pontotoc Community Center, downtown Fulton, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Entry fees apply.

Judging for the photography contest will take place on Sept. 10, as well as judging for the light pole decorating contest. The Banana Festival Fashion Show is set for Monday evening at Buck’s Celebration Center at 6:30 p.m., with advance tickets sold.

For a complete schedule of events, see page 12of this week’s edition of The Current.